The Flemish Animal Welfare Inspectorate has seized 75 neglected birds for a property in the Flemish Brabant municipality of Kortenberg. The birds include pigeons, around 20 aviary birds, a cock and a hen. The birds were living in terrible conditions and are in poor health. The birds have been taken to the Bird and Mammal Reception Centre in Heusden-Zolder.
The centre’s Rudi Oyen told VRT News that "The birds weren’t being cared for properly. They were crammed into cages that were covered in excrement. In addition to this they weren’t given appropriate food and their drinking water wasn’t good. These are things that are essential and this led to the animals being seized”.
Due to the deplorable conditions in which they were being kept several of the birds are in bad shape. "The pigeons and other aviary birds had very long nails. Most of the birds are also very skinny. It is noticeable that the breastbone of the birds protrudes strongly forward and they have have no muscle mass present. The birds were fiercely emaciated and on the feathers were droppings and pus”.
The 75 birds will remain at the sanctuary until the Flemish Animal Welfare Inspectorate has decided what to do with them. “They have two months to decide what to do with the bird. In this case, we assume that the animals will no longer return to their owner and will be placed with our non-profit organisation. It will them be up to us to find a good home for them”.